The Bosniak American Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BAACBH) is extending its gratitude to Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO) co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia, Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH), and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) on a productive trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which represented a commitment by the U.S. government for a renewed engagement in the Balkan region. It was also an example of a continued U.S. effort to support genuine economic and political development in Bosnia and Herzegovina in its process of integration into the European Union and NATO, both of which are fundamental to the democratic process in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

The U.S. Congressional Delegation visit to BiH on July 11, 2009, was to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, during which 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were brutally killed at the hands of the paramilitary forces led by General Ratko Mladic, an indicted war criminal who is still at large. Those who remain in BiH, as well as the many that left the country, have to live with the memory of these atrocious crimes every day. The U.S. Congressional Delegation visit was a welcome sign that signals to the international community that the U.S. has not and will not forget this crime and that on this somber occasion the ideals of persistence and dedication to the peace process in BiH remain a central component of the U.S. foreign policy agenda. For this, we would like to thank Congressman Carnahan who initiated this trip and express our sincere appreciation for his dedication to human rights, BiH, and his Bosnian-American constituents.